A New Year’s resolution is a tradition, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of goodwill or self-improvement starting New Year’s Day.

We are all too familiar with some of these resolutions, for example:

Lose a few pounds

Start exercising

Improve mental well-being

Improve financial status

Self-improvement and personal development

Make new friends

Find that special person

Read more

Travel more, be more adventurous

Reduce stress

Make more money, save more money, spend less

Find a better job

Be more spiritual, find a connection with your creator

Give more, volunteer and be more philanthropic

Call your parents more often

Grow closer to your spouse and kids

Buy a pet

Get more clients and customers

This list can be as long as you have goals.

With deep religious origins, ancient civilizations were well versed in the practice.

Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year. The Romans began each year by making promises to the God Janus. In the Medieval era, knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year in order to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.

But don’t worry …they also broke promises and quit on their resolutions, just like we do!

Statistically, by January 15th ninety-five percent of people break, forget, or quit on their New Year’s resolutions.

But why?

We felt so committed to making changes. What made us walk away with such indifference just a few days later?

We’ve all done this, there’s no point in hiding or justifying it. There’s also no point in re-living it.

But, we need to first figure out why we failed in the past so that we know how not to blow it this New Year!

Here’s why we’ve failed in the past:

We weren’t asking the right questions!

Most of us, when faced with a challenge or goal, begin by asking a question …and it’s a good question, but it’s also a premature one!

What do I need to do? …to lose weight, to gain weight, to make more money, to be more social, to meet more people, to have the life I want.

We focus on the “What”. This is the wrong question, at absolutely the worse time!

In the quest for success at anything, you must first think strategically!

Here are the 3 keyquestions you need to be asking when looking to make changes:

The “Who”

The “Why”

The “What”

In this order!

Who do I need to become?In your mind, what do you aspire to be? … and start modeling that behavior even if you haven’t achieved the results you want. Find a role model, a mentor, or a powerful idea and start behaving congruently with that vision and in line with your newly created identity.

Why do I want to achieve this goal? If you don’t have a strong reason to change or achieve “that” something in your life, you will quit at the first sign of push back, and believe me, life will push back! So the stronger your reasons to stay in the fight, the better your chances to not only survive but thrive in adversity. Find a powerful reason, a meaningful “Why” …and look at it every day!

What do I need to do? Now it’s time to ask this question because your head’s in the right place! The first 2 questions get you in the right mindset. This question is about how to take massive action, set the parameters, figure out the tactics and the mechanics. What rituals and systems need to be in place for you to succeed? This question is about first organizing and then putting in the work and action that fuels your desire.

This 3 step formula has helped me achieve things in my life I never thought I could do. Now I’m passing it on.

I wish you Happy Holidays and a meaningful, permanent and successful New Year’s resolution!

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